The Rancho Tehama shooter — who still has not been officially identified — reportedly murdered a neighbor he’d been accused of assaulting before opening fire on the school.

Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston says the neighbor had a restraining order against the gunman. He says the neighbor was a woman but gave no other details.

Authorities say the gunman, who hasn’t been identified, killed four people Tuesday and wounded at least 10 others, including a child at Rancho Tehama School.

It’s almost as if someone with criminal intent or who is mentally unstable won’t abide by a court order.

In addition, it appears that the Rancho Tehama teachers’ and administrators’ quick action prevented a far worse situation.

Authorities say a gunman tried to get into rooms at a California elementary school with the intent of shooting children but that workers initiated a lockdown that saved lives.

Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston says school officials heard shots being fired and immediately locked down Rancho Tehama School in a tiny, rural town Tuesday.

He says it was “monumental” that school workers took the action they did and there is no doubt in his mind they saved the lives of countless children.

Thankfully, the un-named gunman apparently opened fire outside the school before attempting to enter any of the classrooms, allowing teachers to secure the school before turning his attention to the classrooms. And given that so little information has been released, we don’t yet know what prevented him from forcing his way in. Watch this space.

slip through? . . . Gently escorted perhaps,” “” mental health revue board. “We know he could and probably will become a greater threat to society. But let’s give it a shot anyway, and if he kills a few dozen on the way back here. GUNZ”

Too bad the woman didn’t get a gun instead of – or in addition to – the restraining order. The piece of paper might have helped in court, but it was obviously useless otherwise. But worse, I’ve known far too many people who actually believed that the “order” could protect them somehow.

If that assaulted woman neighbor had shot him herself, none of the rest of this would have happened. What a shame.